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Paris Originals

6/01/2010

Paris Originals

Summer is almost here and most folks’ thoughts are turning to vacations, outdoor activities, and a less hectic schedule (or the possibility of one).  Here at FCC we usually downshift to a slightly slower pace as well. 
However, there is always more going on behind the scenes than you might hear about on Sunday mornings.  Two opportunities are taking shape even as I write these words.

First, deacon family ministry.  I know it’s an old word with several negative connotations.  Some of you grew up in churches where a deacon was low man on the clergy totem pole.  Some of you grew up (like I did) in churches where deacons were a group of men who functioned as a decision-making body (hence the term “board of deacons). 

Neither of those definitions is biblical.  The word “deacon” comes from the word diakonos which means “servant.”  The role of deacon in the early church arose in response to specific needs within local congregations (see Acts 6:1-6), but the inspiration came from the example of Jesus himself who “came not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). 

Here at FCC we want to reframe the word deacon with just such a biblical understanding.  We want each FCC deacon to be connected to several families in order to make sure our congregation lives out its

 purpose to “love others unconditionally” and works toward meeting the goal of “ministering to the needs of those within our church and the wider community.”  Is God calling you to be a deacon?  See page 9 for more details. 

Second, small group ministry.  I am not interested in adding another program to our crowded church calendar, nor am I interested in you shoe-horning one more activity into a hectic week.  I am, however, very interested in growing disciples of Jesus Christ.  I am interested in (as one of our goals says) “creating a church where people are challenged to use their gifts in discipleship.” 

So we are in the process of training a crop of small group facilitators.  God only knows what kind of small groups they will develop, but I am hearing some great ideas so far. 

In the meantime, here’s a question I challenge you to answer:  What kind of small group would you rearrange your schedule to be a part of?  What would be so helpful, or interesting, or exciting, or rewarding that you would say, “I simply must figure out some way to be a part of that.  I cannot miss this opportunity.”  Small groups just for the sake of small groups are a waste of everybody’s time, but groups which “scratch where you are itching” are worth their weight in gold. 

Give me or Lois some feedback.  Let’s use the more relaxed days of summer to dream some big dreams.